Patriots (+AFC) Week 17 Playoff Scenarios

Re: Playoff outlook after Game 15

Many Denver fans will be happy to see Manning extend his record against Oakland.

I'm sure the team was hoping to get the rest. Why else go for the needless record-breaking touchdown instead of waiting for next week.

Lavictoire said:

I bet Denver was all set to go on cruise control and rest their starters next week but now after the pesky Patriots beat the Ravens they have to play them to keep the #1.

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Re: Playoff outlook after Game 15

Exactly. I thought the same thing when they were going for a TD with four and a half minutes left from the twenty. The team play would be to get closer and run time off the clock instead Manning goes right for the end zone. So they planned to wrap up his record with a bow today and rest him next week but Pats changed all that.

By the way Mannings 50th TD was not a TD, even the announcers said it. The receiver didn't have control but the refs weren't going to dare call it back.

Re: Playoff outlook after Game 15

It's amazing, and *be careful what you wish for* I guess, but I think there's a pretty decent chance the Pats now get the #1 seed and the road to the SB goes through Gillette. Our game next week should be much easier than Peyton and an already *****ty defense (now minus Von Miller) having to play in Oakland.

What a weird (but great season) it's been so far. Git yer popcorn ready.

Pessimistic Pete said:

Should we even bother checking on the Raiders/Bronco game Sunday? Wouldn't surprise me if the Raiders tease us by hanging around a little bit before being completely blown out in the 4th quarter.

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Could be interesting. Denver has to play most of their starters if they want the #1 seed. Can't lose it, because that means the pats could jump to #1.

dont see bengals losing at home to a gimpy flacco led ravens. most like first round if pats win next week is going to be..miami/SD @ cincy and KC @ IND. pats have a very good chance of playing cincy in the playoffs provided they hang on to the # 2 seed.

the one team out of the 3 trying to get the 6th seed that could make some nose in the playoffs is san Diego they could beat cincy or indy and have already beat both KC and Denver, they have a good QB a 1000 yard RB a really good 3rd down back a great TE and a 1000 yard rookie WR

Re: Patriots Week 17 Playoff Scenarios

Pessimistic Pete said:

Should we even bother checking on the Raiders/Bronco game Sunday? Wouldn't surprise me if the Raiders tease us by hanging around a little bit before being completely blown out in the 4th quarter.

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If the Broncos rest their starters, they lose (hopefully). Or if they play the starters, a few get hurt. Not a single ounce of sympathy for those orange colored pukes at all.

According to the playoff picture on NFL, how are the Dolphins (8-7) in the playoffs instead of Baltimore (8-7). Pretty sure Baltimore beat them this year.

Re: Patriots Week 17 Playoff Scenarios

So let me get this straight.....you think it would be "COOL" If Baltimore got in?......................what??!



F:ck Baltimore!!







QUOTE=fxkane;3692742]This, in a nutshell, is what week #17 is all about for the Patriots and for Pat fans.

Can Baltimore win and still not make the playoffs? If so, that would be cool too--despite their vulnerabilities today.[/QUOTE]

Got to get that #2 seed by beating BUF this Sunday! Things could be looking as decent as we'd ever had hoped considering the injury situation of this season.

I don't know how it is all going to shake out, but I want no part of the Chargers as I have stated before. When they are on their A game, I see them as the most dangerous team in the AFC. They are extremely inconsistent but their win over the Broncos was not a fluke imho.

If we have to face the sixth seed, I would prefer it to be Miami or Pit.

doesntmatter1 said:

I don't know how it is all going to shake out, but I want no part of the Chargers as I have stated before. When they are on their A game, I see them as the most dangerous team in the AFC. They are extremely inconsistent but their win over the Broncos was not a fluke imho.

If we have to face the sixth seed, I would prefer it to be Miami or Pit.

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If they are the sixth seed I think it would be great. I could see them beating the Bengals/Colts and then taking out Denver in the divisional (lets be honest all 3 could take out Denver).

supafly said:

Got to get that #2 seed by beating BUF this Sunday! Things could be looking as decent as we'd ever had hoped considering the injury situation of this season.

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IMHO there are only 2 scenarios right now: (A) Win this Sunday to clinch the bye (B) lose this Sunday to end in the very likely scenario we play on wildcard weekend.

Every other scenario is akin to what's happening on the other side of the world: largely out of sight, little control over it, the effect is mostly uncertain.

And I agree with you Sup when you say "looking as decent as we'd ever had hoped". The injury situation appears unimproved if not worse following the game. Which means, unfortunately, Buffalo will likely have to be beat with even fewer horses than at 4:25pm yesterday. If BB has any scheming magic left it's needed now. It's almost 3 weeks from today to the Divisional round. If Dennard was ever going to be healthy this season, I have to believe this is enough time to make it happen. Same thing with Solder. If McCourty's concussion isn't too severe, he should be in fine shape by then. If Gregory's return to the game signals his injury is not severe, he should be in good shape by then. If Vereen on the sideline is any indication of his injury severity, he should be ready to go by then. Same thing with Fletcher.
The bye looks to put the Patriots in as decent shape, roster wise, as we could hope for at this point (assuming/hoping no major injuries next Sunday).

PATRlOT said:

According to the playoff picture on NFL, how are the Dolphins (8-7) in the playoffs instead of Baltimore (8-7). Pretty sure Baltimore beat them this year.

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Baltimore wins H-H, but MIA has better Conf record which is the first tie-breaker in a 3-way tie. (that is why Mia need Chargers to win)

Re: Patriots Week 17 playoff Scenarios

SalemPats said:

Week 17 is a must-win if we want to make the SB. We need the extra week off and a home game.

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It's not that important. Not having to play an extra game is advantageous for sure, but this is a different era. When is the last time a #1 seed won a SB? It's more important to be playing lights out and on a run in Dec. 2010 really tempered my excitement for top seeding and HFA

Re: Patriots Week 17 playoff Scenarios

PatriotFan77 said:

It's not that important. Not having to play an extra game is advantageous for sure, but this is a different era. When is the last time a #1 seed won a SB? It's more important to be playing lights out and on a run in Dec. 2010 really tempered my excitement for top seeding and HFA

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Are you joking?

Hmm let's see.. Do I want 1 weeks rest or 2 weeks rest? Do I want 3 playoff games with 2 on the road or 2 playoff games with maybe one on the road?

It's enormous

I find it extremely intriguing that all four wild card contenders need help. Usually there are a number of teams in the hunt but one clear "win and you're in team"....not this year. I love it.

Divisional Round Sat Night game

Not to look too far ahead and jinx anything against Buffalo since every game has been a dog fight this year but....

The AFC and NFC alternate who gets this game and historically the Patriots have gotten a lot of them.

2011 Broncos
2009 Lost WC round
2007 Jags
2005 Broncos
2003 Titans
2001 Raiders

So every eligible year. With Bob's influence on the TV committee I wonder if that's enough for the Pats to host it again or if the Manning-mania will win out. I think the opponent market would normally play into this but the biggest markets other than NE and Denver are coming out of the 6 seed in Miami, SD, Baltimore of Pitt (Pitt isn't a big market but their national following factors in). Indy, KC and Cincy are all smaller markets. So assuming the Bungels don't lay an egg I don't see it mattering.

Based on matchup I think that CBS would have to want Denver vs Indy and that probably gets the nod as the biggest story although NE vs Cincinnati might be the better matchup.

Should be interesting to see Bob vs Peyton.